orders to the Governor of the Mississippi territory and General
Wilkinson, to move down with the troops at hand to New Orleans, to
receive the possession from Mr. Laussat. If he is heartily disposed to
carry the order of the Consul into execution, he can probably command a
volunteer force at New Orleans, and will have the aid of ours also, if
he desires it, to take the possession and deliver it to us. If he is
not so disposed, we shall take the possession, and it will rest with the
government of France, by adopting the act as their own and obtaining the
confirmation of Spain, to supply the non-execution of their stipulation
to deliver, and to entitle themselves to the complete execution of our
part of the agreements. In the mean time, the legislature is passing the
bills, and we are preparing every thing to be done on our part towards
execution, and we shall not avail ourselves of the three months' delay
after possession of the province, allowed by the treaty for the delivery
of the stock, but shall deliver it the moment that possession is known
here, which will be on the eighteenth day after it has taken place.

*****

Accept my affectionate salutations, and assurances of my constant esteem
and respect.

Th: Jefferson.




LETTER VI.--TO DAVID WILLIAMS, November 14, 1803

TO DAVID WILLIAMS.